A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court sitting in Apo, Abuja, has remanded two men in Kuje Correctional Facility for allegedly impersonating Ola Olukoyede, the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)......See Full Story>>.....See Full Story>>
The suspects, Ojobo Joshua and Aliyu Hashi, were arraigned on Wednesday before Justice Jude Onwuebuzie, who is presiding over the case. They were arrested in August along with two other individuals, Thomas Oduh and Paul Ogiji, at locations in Garki and the Apo Legislative Quarters, Abuja.
According to the EFCC, the defendants falsely contacted Mohammed Bello-Koko, the former Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), and claimed that he had been indicted by the EFCC in connection with an investigation into his tenure.
They allegedly demanded $1 million from Bello-Koko, promising that Olukoyede would ensure a “soft landing” for him in exchange for the money. The suspects also threatened to arrest and prosecute him if he failed to comply with their demands.
The EFCC filed a four-count charge of impersonation and attempted fraud against Joshua and Hashi. Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to them in court.
Elizabeth Alabi, counsel for the EFCC, requested that the court remand the defendants in custody pending the commencement of their trial.
“Having pleaded not guilty, my lord, we ask for a date to begin calling our witnesses and request the defendants be remanded in custody,” Alabi said.
In response, Obinna Nwosu, representing Joshua, applied for his client’s release on liberal bail terms. Peter Oriobe, counsel for Hashi, also made an oral request for bail. However, Justice Onwuebuzie directed Oriobe to file a formal written bail application for his client.
After considering the applications, the judge granted Joshua bail in the sum of N100 million, with two sureties in like sum. The sureties must be at least level 16 civil servants, and they are required to provide their appointment and promotion letters, valid identification, and a written undertaking to ensure the defendant attends all court hearings. Joshua was also ordered to surrender his international passport to the court.
Both Joshua and Hashi were remanded at Kuje Correctional Centre until their bail conditions are met. The court adjourned the case to November 18 for the hearing of Hashi’s bail application.